Poetic Interlude CXV

Like the Very Gods

by Sappho

Like the very gods in my sight is he who

sits where he can look in your eyes, who listens

close to you, to hear the soft voice, its sweetness

murmur in love and

laughter, all for him. But it breaks my spirit;

underneath my breast all the heart is shaken.

Let me only glance where you are, the voice dies,

I can say nothing,

but my lips are stricken to silence, under-

neath my skin the tenuous flame suffuses;

nothing shows in front of my eyes, my ears are

muted in thunder.

And the sweat breaks running upon me, fever

Shakes my body, paler I turn than grass is;

I can feel that I have been changed, I feel that

death has come near me.

Tagged: LGBT Poetry, LGBTQIA, Poetic Interludes, Poetry, Pride, Sappho